These are the Women's VALOR Amateur Rankings (Pound-for-Pound) as of October 2015.
1. Annie DeCrescente (VALOR WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION)
Association: Stryker Fight Center
Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Height: 5'7"
City: Kennesaw, GA
Record: 7-4
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Macy Chiasson, Rd. 2 Sub (RNC), October 2015, RMMA 35
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Annie DeCrescente sits at the top spot in the women's rankings as she's the only current female champion and is riding an impressive five-fight winning streak. In her three fights with the promotion, DeCrescente finished both Shamir Peshewa and Taylor Turner before winning VALOR gold in a Fight of the Night performance against Alexa Tarallo in February. After her first loss in over year in New Orleans, we wait to see if DeCrescente will go pro or take one final amateur fight.
2. Alexa Tarallo
Association: Triple G Academy
Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Height: 5'6"
City: Asheville, NC
Record: 4-1
Most Recent Fight: Def. Ericka Scacchi, Un. Dec, October 2015, Fight Lab 51
Next Fight: vs. Ericka Fincher (November 7th - Pigeon Forge, TN)
Analysis: The true skill level of Tarallo was a mystery when she stepped in the cage against the much more experienced DeCrescente earlier this year, but Tarallo showed she was the real deal going punch for punch with DeCrescente, but lost a decision in the end. After her return to the cage on less than a week notice in North Carolina, Tarallo will return to the VALOR cage this Novemeber.
3. Jackie Abshire
Association: JCMAA
Weight Class: Strawweight (115 lbs)
Height: 5'5"
City: Bristol, TN
Record: 2-1
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Shannon Goughary, Rd. 3 TKO (Punches), July 2015, USFFC 23
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Quite possibly the most powerful female who fights at 115, Jackie Abshire is still very green and developing a well rounded game. Rushed into a title fight in July against a much more experienced opponent turned out to be a bad decision as she was defeated by a 3rd round stoppage, but this talented Crossfit gym owner and Broken Skull Ranch winner has no quit in her and we expect to see her return to the VALOR cage this Winter.
4. Christal Martin
Association: Fit Factory
Weight Class: Atomweight (105 lbs)
Height: 4'11"
City: Sevierville, TN
Record: 2-0
Most Recent Fight: def. Angie Dugan, Rd. 2 TKO (Punches), January 2015, APEX 4
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Quite possibly the only fighter in the region with a win on her record by straight up intimidation, Christal Martin is slowly becoming the top prospect in the area at 105. Martin has a solid wrestling and jiu-jitsu base thanks to the Fit Factory coach Gene Click and with more seasoning, could quickly move up this list.
5. Ashley Samples
Association: Doro MMA
Weight Class: Flyweight (125 lbs) / Strawweight (115 lbs)
Height: 5'6"
City: Athens, GA
Record: 6-4
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Kayla Hanak, Rd. 1 Sub (Armbar), June 2015, Fear No Battle 5
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: At one point in time, the most talked about female fighter in the region, Samples has struggled some with the top amateur opponents in the region, but no female has fought at the calibar that she has. With losses to Invicta's Andrea Lee and former VALOR Champion Jamie Milanowski, Samples has fought the who's who of talent at 125 and 115.
6. Tiffani Jenkins
Association: Bushido MMA
Weight Class: Strawweight (115 lbs) / Atomweight (105 lbs)
Height: 5'6"
City: Greeneville, TN
Record: 3-1
Most Recent Fight: def. Kimberly West, Rd. 1 Sub (RNC), August 2015, VALOR 25
Next Fight: vs. Genia Goodin (November 14th - Kingsport, TN)
Analysis: An underrated prospect at 115 and 105, Tiffani Jenkins has quitely won three fights in her amateur career thus far including two first round submission finishes and a Fight of the Night worthy battle against D-Evil's Linda Gray. With a rumored title fight on the horizon, Jenkins recently joined Bushido MMA to round out her striking game to match her outstanding ground game.
7. Genia Goodin
Association: Corbin Martial Arts
Weight Class: Strawweight (115 lbs)
Height: 5'6"
City: Arjay, KY
Record: 2-0
Most Recent Fight: def. Kimberly West, Rd. 1 Sub (RNC), May 2015, Return of the Warriors
Next Fight: vs. Tiffani Jenkins (November 14th - Kingsport, TN)
Analysis: With two wins both coming in under a minute, Goodin has finish on her mind as soon as she steps foot in the cage. With that said, we've still not seen a lot of the Kentucky fighter, but that could change with a possible title fight coming this Fall.
8. Shamir Peshewa
Association: KMAA
Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Height: 5'7"
City: Knoxville, TN
Record: 3-2
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Annie DeCrescente, Rd. 1 Sub (RNC), November 2015, VALOR 17
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: The top female fighter from one of the top gyms in the state of Tennessee, Shamir Peshewa was the most active fighter, male or female, in 2014. After starting 3-0, she earned a title shot against DeCrescente, but took home a loss by Submission. After five fights in 2014, we've only seen Peshewa on the promtional side of things in 2015, but hopefully a return to inside the cage is in the near future.
9. Alex Betancourt
Association: Georgetown MMA
Weight Class: Atomweight (105 lbs)
Height: 5'0"
City: Lexington, KY
Record: 1-0
Most Recent Fight: def. Linda Gray, Rd. 2 TKO (Punches), February 2015, VALOR 20
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: Only one fight into her amateur career, Betancourt showed great aggressiveness against Linda Gray earlier this year winning the fight with a standing TKO after a barrage of punches. An outstanding prospect at 105, many are excited for the return of Betancourt to the cage.
10. Paula Riddle
Association: Independent
Weight Class: Strawweight (115 lbs)
Height: 5'7"
City: Cleveland, TN
Record: 2-3
Most Recent Fight: Loss to Jackie Abshire, Rd. 1 TKO (Punches), January 2015, APEX 4
Next Fight: TBA
Analysis: The long and lean Paula Riddle has been fighting since 2011, but has only had five fights. Living in Cleveland where a solid gym is far in each direction, Riddle has been rather inactive until ending her two year layoff in January in a losing effort to the powerful Jackie Abshire. With her long reach and sneaky submissions, Riddle is a tough test for anyone around 115.
*** To be eligible for the VALOR X Rankings, you must have been active over the last 600 days (includes accepting a fight), fought for a VALOR promotion or once associated, and made the said weight class official weight at least once (includes kickboxing). Rankings are submitted by a team of officials, writers, and professional fighters. ***